ILO REPORT FLAGS POVERTY-PRODUCTIVITY LINK

September 12, 2007

A new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) has highlighted the linkage between poverty and Labour productivity.
According to the report, entitled "Key Indicators of the Labour Market," limited investment in training and skills is diminishing opportunities to lift people out of poverty.
In South and East Asia, Mr. Johnson pointed out that the ILO has seen a marked decrease in the "working poor," which he defined as "those individuals that are working but are unable to earn at least $2 a day for themselves and for their families."

"Raising the productivity levels of workers on the lowest incomes in the poorest countries is the key to reducing the enormous decent work deficits in the world."
The report found that the United States has increased its productivity growth over most other developed economies, with $63.885 of value added per person employed in 2006, followed by Ireland ($55.986), Luxembourg ($55.641) and Belgium ($55.235).
The report also stated that Americans work more hours per year than workers in most other nations with developed economies, and thus Norway has the highest Labour productivity level when measured as value added per hour worked.